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Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZS5

Portability
90
Imaging
48
Features
48
Overall
48
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZS5 Key Specs

Panasonic GF3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 264g - 108 x 67 x 32mm
  • Introduced August 2011
  • Old Model is Panasonic GF2
  • Refreshed by Panasonic GF5
Panasonic ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Released June 2010
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ8
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Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZS5 Overview

On this page, we are analyzing the Panasonic GF3 versus Panasonic ZS5, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are created by Panasonic. The image resolution of the GF3 (12MP) and the ZS5 (12MP) is very close but the GF3 (Four Thirds) and ZS5 (1/2.3") provide different sensor measurements.

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The GF3 was released 15 months after the ZS5 making them a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic GF3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera.

Before we go right into a thorough comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the GF3 matches up against the ZS5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Panasonic ZS5

 GF3 ZS5 
ReleasedAugust 2011June 2010More modern by 15 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Panasonic GF3

 ZS5 GF3 

Common features in the Panasonic GF3 and Panasonic ZS5

 GF3 ZS5 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZS5 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera often, you will need to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic GF3 has got outside measurements of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") with a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS5 has sizing of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic GF3 versus Panasonic ZS5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the GF3 vs the ZS5.

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZS5 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the GF3 and ZS5 is 90 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZS5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZS5 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes merely by researching specs. The pic below may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the GF3 and ZS5.

All in all, each of the cameras have the same MP but different sensor sizes. The GF3 provides the larger sensor which will make achieving shallow DOF less difficult. The fresher GF3 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZS5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography information
55
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
27
comes with face detect focus
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Street photography details
Panasonic ZS5 Street photography details
70
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
has focus via touch
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (214 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZS5 Sports photography advice
38
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
bad battery pack (300 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
31
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,300s)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF3 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Travel photography camera
58
has focus via touch
flash built-in
no Time Lapse function
bad battery pack (300 per charge)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
63
lighter than competition (214 grams)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF3 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Landscape photography camera
55
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
bad battery pack (300 CIPA)
no Time Lapse function
33
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic GF3
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS5
32
has touchscreen
supports face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
no external mic port
31
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
lighter than competition (214g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone port
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Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF3 and Panasonic ZS5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
General Information
Company Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ8
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2011-08-11 2010-06-16
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine FHD Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 160 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus range - 3cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1300 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.30 m 5.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 264g (0.58 pounds) 214g (0.47 pounds)
Physical dimensions 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 50 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 20.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light score 459 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 photos -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $360 $300